Etuate Lavulavu

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa told Parliament Monday that Lavulavu had resigned according to a Kaniva News report.

However, the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, said he has not yet received any formal letter of resignation.

Parliament was awaiting a response from the government Monday to confirm queries from MPs and the media about Lavulavu’s pay and entitlements.

The Speaker said they relied on information from the Minister of Finance this (Monday) morning telling the House he had used his power under the Finance Acts and ordered her CEO to stop Lavulavu’s payment.

Jailed for fraud they have lost a bid for bail as they prepare for an appeal in March.

The Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten denied them bail, ruling he doubted their prospects for success on appeal.

The Lavulavus had run the 'Unuaki 'o Tonga Royal Institute, but falsified the number of students enrolled when applying for vocational education training grants, pocketing the state money the school was sent.

Kaniva News reports in his 18 pages ruling Mr Whitten said he was not satisfied that Lavulavu “are obvious or even reasonable”.

He said the couple failed to fullfil the requirement by the bail law.

This “leads to the conclusion that, at this time, the Court does not consider it fit to admit them to bail pending their appeal”.

“Accordingly, the applications are refused”.

She will serve five years imprisonment.

Her husband Etuate Lavulavu has been given a six year sentence according to Kaniva News.

The Lavulavus were convicted of three counts of fraud by the court last month.

The charges go back to 2016 when they falsified student documents in order to gain access to $US250,000 in government grant funding for the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute that they operated privately.

"This is an example of the worst sort of dishonesty," said Justice NJ Cooper in his verdict.

Radio Tonga reports the Vava'u 16 MP lost his seat in a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the decision that he committed bribery and declared his election null and void.

Speaker of Parliament Lord Tuivakano earlier this year announce that a by-election will be held on 26 May, depending on the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Lavulavu's counsel Sifa Tu'utafaiva confirmed he has submitted his client's appeal last Friday.

Ironically, his guilty verdict in a 2014 campaign bribery case in court on January 26 this year trapped him in a corner, and checkmated by King Siaosi Tupou VI on Feb. 01, 2016. 

Radio Tonga reports a letter calling for the Minister to be impeached was read in Parliament today.

Mr Lavulavu has dismissed claims that he has not been following the policies and regulations of parliament, mismanaging government's properties and actions that could affect Tonga's international relations.

The Speaker, Lord Tu'ikvakano, directed the MPs behind the impeachment call to refer it to the relevant parliamentary committee for consideration.

According to Radio Tonga News, the charges were read during Monday’s Parliament sitting,

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Lord Tu'ivakano referred the impeachment case to a House Sub-Committee to deliberate on the allegations before it’s brought back to the House.

Lavulavu has denied all the allegations which includes not following the policy and regulations of Parliament, mismanagement of government properties and for taking actions that can challenge relations between Tonga and other countries.

In a statement, Mr Lavulavu says he had no intention to breach the Sunday law by picking up the rubbish, and was trying to ensure that Tonga was kept clean.

He says he deeply regrets his actions, and is grateful to everyone who contributed to keeping Tonga clean and beautiful.

Mr Lavulavu has asked the public to pick up their rubbish after events on Saturdays so that public places will continue to be clean on Sunday.